Huo Shiqian: "No, we are peers."
His voice was very calm.
Xia Chuyi’s laughter grew even more joyous as she said, "Oh, what a pity..."
Her tone was a bit mischievous.
"Chuyi, have you been drinking?" Huo Shiqian asked composedly from the other end.
Xia Chuyi giggled, patting her slightly reddened face—today was New Year’s, and she indeed had a little to drink.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be teasing Huo Shiqian .
But she wouldn’t tell Huo Shiqian that.
"By the way, how did you guys celebrate in the army, and how do you have time to call me?" Xia Chuyi curiously asked Huo Shiqian on the other end of the phone, smoothly changing the subject.
Huo Shiqian said, "The army is holding a New Year’s gala."
"A New Year’s gala?" Xia Chu’s smile grew wider as she said, "Does that mean there are lots of pretty young ladies from the cultural troupe there?"
"Pretty young ladies?" Huo Shiqian’s voice remained even as he replied, "No, just bratty boys."
Xia Chuyi burst into laughter and said, "Doesn’t that disappoint you, Brother Shi Qian?"
"Uh-huh." To her surprise, Huo Shiqian simply answered, "Very disappointed."
Hearing this, Xia Chuyi pouted and elongated her tone, "So disappointed..."
Then, from the other end, she heard Huo Shiqian’s calm voice delivering three short words: "Without you."
The implication was that he was disappointed because Xia Chuyi was not there.
Hearing this, Xia Chuyi’s eyes immediately curved into crescents.
"Oh, so I’m the pretty young lady then?" Xia Chuyi’s fingers joyfully scratched the earpiece.
On the other end of the phone, Huo Shiqian remained calm, saying, "You are my pretty... little wife."
No, she, having lived two lives, was actually being counter-flirted with.
"Ahem." Xia Chuyi’s eyes danced as she said, "So, did you step away from the gala to call me?"
"No, I am not at the army," said Huo Shiqian, "I’m on a consolation visit."
"A consolation visit?" Xia Chuyi thought of those news broadcasts that would show up in the future, how on every holiday, the higher the official’s rank, the less likely they were to spend it at home, always visiting different places to offer consolation.
Xia Chuyi nodded, understanding, and said, "I get it. Uncle Liberation Army, you’ve worked hard!"
Xia Chuyi grinned, knowing that even though she couldn’t see Huo Shiqian, Uncle Liberation Army must be wearing a helpless expression.
But what could be done about it? It was not like he was there!
Listening to the crackling of fireworks outside, along with the lively sounds of laughter, Xia Chuyi suddenly said sentimentally, "Uncle Jun, I miss you."
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment.
"Girl, when I’m not there, don’t drink," Huo Shiqian paused before continuing, "When I’m with you, you can have a few drinks."
Xia Chuyi laughed gleefully.
Suddenly, Huo Shiqian said to Xia Chuyi on the other end of the phone: "Chuyi, look outside your window."
Xia Chuyi blinked, a face full of question marks.
Just at that moment, suddenly, somewhere outside the house, fireworks began to go off.
Fireworks were not cheap in this era, and Xia Chuyi couldn’t help but rush to look out the window.
The fireworks of this era, though not as colorful as those of the future, were particularly dazzling as they shimmered in the dark sky.
"Girl, Happy New Year," Huo Shiqian’s voice calmly said.
Xia Chuyi was somewhat surprised.
The tone of Uncle Liberation Army... could it be that these fireworks?